I am talking about the Bears season, but I'm also speaking of the great Bears defense.

So many years. So many wins. So many pick-sixes, forced fumbles, great players.

It had to end sometime and it has ended … now. Brian Urlacher gone. Lance Briggs out 4-6 weeks, nearing the end of the road. Charles Tillman getting beaten badly by … the Redskins. Julius Peppers with nothing on the board this season. It couldn't last forever, but I sure wanted it to.

Nope. Phil Emery has to really earn the money now. This year is shot. All he has to do this offseason is find a new defensive line. Hell, some more linebackers. Then, two more safeties and a cornerback or two.

That said, we have to try for something this season. Here goes my Hail Mary.

Dear Brian Urlacher:

I know I was hard on you when it ended. I'm sorry there was no market for your services then. Guess what? There is a market for your services now! Please come back! I think a 35-year-old who can't run would do just fine on this defense! You'd fit right in!

Please call me back! I love you! Please!

That sounded like a drunken ex's voice mail at 1 am. Strange. That's also what it felt like.

It also feels like the World Series is here. This is when Cub fans engage in birdwatching. In this case, the hated Cardinals.

Shhh, look! They were there just two years ago, and have since remade almost their entire roster! Now they're back. How do they do it? They scout, draft and develop their own supply of excellent baseball players. They rarely go for the big-time free agent. Unless it's the final piece. Interesting. See? Freaks of nature! And they're not from a big market!

To depress you more, a poll of NBA GMs says the Bulls will finish this season third behind Miami and Indiana.